Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time

Dear Cancer Patient: When I heard, "You have cancer," I was stunned and had no idea what to do. I felt like someone stepping into the cockpit of a fighter jet, sitting at the controls, and wondering what all those strange buttons do. Sound Familiar?

Cancer is an arrogant bully, and I was angry, but I discovered that justifiable anger was my friend. When cancer taunted me, “From now on, I’ll make all your decisions—what you’re going to do when and for how long," I knew it was lying to me. I didn't know how everything would turn out, but I certainly wasn't going to jump into the backseat of my own car. At first, I admit I had my fears and had to face them. But I chose to pack my mental arsenal with good, solid ammunition.

My first book, 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer, was released in 2016 and won a Midwest Book Award in the health division. Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time evolved because my oncologist suggested my "myths versus truths" approach would work well for support groups. Since 8 Steps was more of a narrative book, I focused the second book on patients' inner struggles. I hoped to encourage them to find strength and convictions that promote their best possible outcomes. In that context, I also included personal or group reflections, discussions, and/or journaling if desired.

If you are a cancer patient and you are discovering this book today, please know that the fight is worth it. You can do this. Let’s believe together in a journey you can be proud of.

Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time isn’t about me or my journey. 

It’s about patients finding their own truths in their own way to beat cancer on their own terms.

The subtitle states the main premise of the book: what you believe determines your journey!

Reviews for Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time:

"A cancer diagnosis is a crushing reality, often filled with fear and helplessness. And cancer's prevalence means that people respond to the diagnosis with a lot of preconceived ideas. This book confronts those common ideas about cancer and, in doing so, relieves some of the helplessness and fear. The result is a positive, empowered way of thinking--a bountiful gift for those facing the many difficult choices of cancer diagnoses and treatment...The tone is measured and calm, empathetic and open--inviting, but not unduly amplifying, the emotions that each reader will bring...Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time is a compassionate guide for those coming to grips with a cancer diagnosis." --Foreword Clarion Reviews

 "Using her own experience and those of other survivors, McDonough urges newly diagnosed patients to reject the cultural myths related to the disease and create new mindsets and positive choices...To help accomplish this goal...readers are offered space to articulate new thinking and affirmative choices. Statements such as 'What did I do to deserve cancer?' or 'I'm better off keeping my thoughts to myself and do what I'm told' are jumping off points for readers to confront detrimental beliefs...McDonough's compassionate and thoughtful focus on how patients can positively reflect on their cancer journey may serve as a helpful, empowering guide for many individuals." --Blueink Reviews

 "Newly diagnosed patients face a bombardments of tasks...As McDonough notes in this pithy, uplifting new work of nonfiction, this can often distract patients from remembering that, as she puts it, hope does not exist without vision...The guiding principle of the book is that a positive, life-affirming vision is every bit as important as all the practical care tactics new patients are given...By succinctly breaking down a series of 'myths' commonly associated with cancer (like patients must blindly follow doctors' orders or continuously maintain composure), McDonough very skillfully manages the difficult trick of categorizing typical patient reactions without criticizing those having the reactions...and each section of her short but powerful guide includes inspirational quotes and open-ended questions designed to help readers examine their own feelings at each stage of their journey..." --Kirkus Reviews